Joey 6 Months

Our sweet boy turned 6 months old on the 27th of December.   Mostly, this milestone has been overshadowed by his first real illness:  RSV/Bronchiolitis AND Double Ear Infection.

Despite all that, he continues to be our happy, smiley, talkative boy.  His blue eyes are brighter than ever and it looks like those swollen gums and the constant hand-gnawing may reveal some teeth soon!

At his checkup he weighed 17.5 pounds and was 27 inches long (76th percentile).  He's still a tall boy!

Our progression with solid foods has hit a standstill with this current sickness.  He was choking and gagging, so we are taking a break.  In addition, his usually hearty appetite just isn't there; he's only taking about 50% of his usual intake :(  So far he's had sweet potatoes and bananas.  We will try again tomorrow I think, because he is definitely improving every day.

I can't believe my sweet boy is 1/2 a year old already.  His babyhood is slipping away from me a little bit more with every passing day.  It's true; it goes by WAY too fast.

 He is REALLY bucking and thrashing around all the time now.  Loves to flip over and move all around.  This kid can.not.sit.still.  I am very afraid for when he turns 2, lol!

Mom tried to get festive with his Santa hat and his first ornaments.  TRIED.

 We got our first real snowfall of the season as you can see in the background.  He hasn't been out in it because he doesn't have a proper winter coat.  Mom Fail.  I always take him from the house to the car in the garage if we go anywhere, so he's rarely outside for more than a few seconds.  And even then I cover him up with a blanket over his layers of clothing.  Maybe next year?

"Uh....Mom? Help?"

 He is LOVING being in the jump-a-roo and rocks that thing.  His giggle is the BEST.  If you catch his eye? Immediate smiles.

I love this picture, he was standing (supported) between my knees looking up at me.

My sweet, sweet son.

I don't ever want to forget what a drool machine he is!!!

Not much has changed as far as his sleeping habits - he's still a rockstar in that department.  Thank God!  And Thank God for this little boy.

And just because I love to look back...

Morgan's New Robe - Dance

Morgan got a new robe on Christmas Eve from her Nana and decided to do a little dance for all of us.  (if your sound works, I apologize for my singing!)

What can I say....Girlfriend loves her new robe.  She takes her dancing seriously.  And yes, she does all her own choreography.

Rounding Out December 2012

The kids have both been SO sick lately.  Morgan got a bad cold, which led to double ear infection.

A few days later, Joey's breathing was sounding very labored and he had a scary sounding cough.  I took him in and was surprised to find out he had RSV/Bronchiolitis AND Double Ear Infection.  Poor little guy.  

His coughing, wheezing, and general struggle to breathe is breaking my heart.  He's just completely worn out.  There's no medicine to make him better either since it's a virus.  We can only suction his nose, run the humidifier and keep him comfortable.  I've spent many hours with him sleeping upright on my chest and I'd do it 100 more hours if he needed me to.  He's also not eating much, barely half of what he normally takes, because he can't breathe easily.  The doctors told us he should turn a corner here in the next few days.  If he gets worse, he'll have to go into the hospital for oxygen and breathing treatments :(

In spite of it all, he continues to be such a happy little guy who lights up when you talk to him.  If I felt guilty before about Morgan getting sick from Toddler School, that guilt has magnified 1000x over.  

I think I set a record:  We were at the Pediatrician's office 3 times in less than a week.  Once for Joey's 6-month checkup, then for Morgan's illness, then for Joey's.  Luckily we had already hit our deductible this year with his birth, ha!  

Needless to say, we've spent most of the holidays and Daddy's Staycation at home, helping our little munchkins get better.

1. Morgan was dancing around in her diaper + Santa Hat before Santa came.
2.  Snuggling with my monkey.
3. 6 Month Checkup Time!
4. Our Tree this year.
5.  Shopping with Nana & Mommy & Daddy for a new suit for Daddy.
6.  What is Joey trying to tell me???
7.  I think we have a thumb-sucker!
8.  Morgan upset that she lost some of her stickers from Gymboree
9.  I love the large balls on the garland
10.  A fun gift from our family in MN.  Big girl can get on & off all by herself!
11. Joey bear, pre-sickness, crashed out from shopping.

Christmas 2012

We had a wonderful Christmas with our two little munchkins this year.  They got WAY too many toys and we are blessed that so many people love our kids.  

He is just SO kissable!!

I can't leave out the fact that Morgan got VERY sick - AGAIN.  She had an upper respiratory infection that turned into double ear infection.  Today is day 7 and after taking her to the Dr. on Christmas Eve for antibiotics, she is finally on the mend.  Unfortunately I think Joey is getting sick now.  This round of sickness has DONE. ME. IN.  I am currently planning to take her out of her little Toddler School.  She just gets over one sickness and then -- BAM!  Gets another.  I know she will be exposed sooner or later, but since I have the choice right now?  I choose later.  I can't handle 2 sick babies, constantly, on my own when the Hubs goes back to work.  I know my limit.  And believe me; I've hit it.

With Morgan being sick, we kept her home from the Christmas Eve festivities (which she would have loved - the Annual Barone Pizza Night!).  She was feeling much better for Christmas Day and Santa presents.

Christmas Morning....hair and all.  But feeling a little better.

She kinda sorta understood Santa this year. She'd say "See-TAH?"  She opened some of her presents (very cautiously, just like she does with everything).  She lost interest after 2 or 3 gifts though.  We decided next year to just get the kids 3 gifts each.  With the amount we got from our VERY generous families here & in MN, and friends....it was overwhelming!

Tried Sweet Potatoes for the first time!  Not a fan.  Yet.

The scene Christmas Morning..BEFORE ALL the presents were opened!

She wasn't sure what to think about her new LOL Elmo.  I thought for sure she'd love him.

Should've gotten the big guy the next size up Anywhere Chair from PB.  Lesson Learned.  Seriously, how big does he look here????

Mama raked in some nice gifts too...the griddle I wanted showed up under the tree!  Pancakes were made.  I also got some nice workout clothes from Lululemon and the hype is true; it's good stuff.  I got a spa gift certificate which I will definitely put to good use.

Currently making my heart happy

• The Hubs is officially on vacation.  Oh, have I mentioned this?   I feel like a new woman with an extra set of hands, the occasional nap, and getting out of the house!  We are also giving the house some much-needed attention.  I've already cleaned out/organized our teeny hall coat closet and it feels so good!
• New Christmas ornaments for our growing family: 

Morgan made this at school (that's her handprint).  I LOVE IT!!!!

I had to make Joey one, with his help, to match Morgan's from last year.  Those chubby little hand prints melt me!

• Morgan constantly saying "Hugs?" and holding her arms out to hug/be hugged.  Must've learned that one in school, lol!  She's really changing every day.  We are full-speed ahead into Toddlerville and the Terrible Two's.  Most days I'd like to turn the bus around, ha!  She's very stubborn.  Is learning lots of new words, but will repeat over and over and over and over again til she gets what she wants.  I'm hoping this means she will be persistent in life ; )  She's still in her MOMMA phase, and, well, that is what it is.  She's also become super attached to her 2 blankies and her Seahorse that she sleeps with. She drags them EVERYWHERE.

This picture AGAIN.  Because it sums up her entire persona lately.  And all the others I have of her are a blur because she won't hold still for a picture OR wants my iPhone!

• Joey...oh my.  He's really turned a corner in the past few weeks.  Sleeping LOOONG stretches and just so happy, smiley & chill.  LOVES to roll around on the floor, which allows me free arms!  He seems to be outgrowing his pickmeupitis ; )

Me & My Lovebug

• We took the kids to the Festival of Lights at the Zoo the other night.  I'm not a fan of keeping them out late or being out in the cold, but it was fine.  Until we met Santa, that is:

CLASSIC!

• The Hubs came home with these to make:

I can't have 16 cake pops in my house!!!!!!

• It's rainy & cold and just plain nasty out today, but at least we aren't in Minnesota where it's snowing & freezing!  Happy to not be shoveling!!
• I'm pretty much finished Christmas shopping.  I've been trying to wrap a few gifts every night so it's not so overwhelming.  We tried to stick with just getting the kids about 5 gifts or so each, knowing they'd get stuff from family & friends too.  I think we did alright!

Blessings

Non-stop coverage continues about the Elementary School shooting and I found myself wondering today when the news crews will leave town and let those poor people grieve?  If it were me...I know I'd want some privacy.

I, like many others in our nation I'm sure, am still shaken.  I can't stop thinking about it and I even wake up in the night, worried that something is going to happen to my sweet babies. I had a nightmare last night and I had to get up, get a drink of water and really try to think of something else.  Today I was at the mall.  And as I walked into the food court, I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.  Were we safe?  Are we ever safe?

It makes me sad to think we have to raise our children in such a cruel, senseless world.

I don't like to get political on my blog, but I will say this:  It's not about the guns.  It's about mental health.  You don't see sane people (who own guns) going out & shooting up places.  In every case, the common denominator is young men with severe mental illness.  They simply cannot be integrated in our society.  In trying to remove the stigma that is associated with mental illness, the capacity to cause great danger and even death, has been overlooked.  Of course this is a multi-faceted and extremely complicated issue.

Did you know if you do a Google search and type "Schizophrenic Man"...the next word that automatically pops up is "KILLS".  Horrific that it's so common.

I guess I'm fired up about this now because there have been too many incidents involving children in my area -- and the people responsible for these innocent little people are either on drugs or have a mental illness.    So, basically if I have to hear ONE MORE TIME the phrase "Well hopefully this will start "meaningful conversation" about gun laws", I'm going to scream.

*ENDRANT*

On to brighter, happier topics:  I realize that as crazy as they sometimes make me, I am so in love with these little blessings.

Joey is rolling ALL OVER the place now!

Where do I even start with this one...

"DEEEEEESE!"  She's such a mess.  No, really.

That French Toast Bake recipe was the BOMB.  Glad I only made a 1/2 batch or I'd have gained 20 pounds.  It WILL be made again for Christmas morning!!  Maybe even before ; )

Christmas PJ's

My happy boy!

Another Pinspired chalkboard

Sad

There's nothing left to say that hasn't already been said, but my heart truly goes out to those who lost loved ones at Sandy Hook Elementary School yesterday in the shooting.  All those poor little children.  I sat with my hand covering my open mouth and tears filling my eyes most of the afternoon while I kept grabbing and kissing my children.  And then  I just had to turn off the TV and unplug from social media altogether for a bit.  So senseless.  So tragic.  I can't even imagine what the parents must be going through right now.  May God give them peace and comfort.

Mama's Christmas Wish List

Mama's Christmas Wish List by nursetmj featuring north face

That's right people.  Mama wants a griddle.

TGIF!

I'm abnormally excited for this weekend because tomorrow starts the Hubs' 2 weeks of vacation!!  We may all be going crazy within 36 hours though, lol!  He could very well be hightailing it back to work come Monday.  

Anywhoo....we have lots on the docket while he's off.  Lots of cleaning and purging to do.  Lots of running around doing fun Christmas-y stuff with the munchkins.  And I'm sure there will be shopping involved.  If I get this man on the right day?  He can shop like nobody's business!

The nasty stomach virus that Morgan had caught up to my poor Hubs and my MIL.  And believe me, there is NOTHING worse than the MAN FLU.  Somehow, Joey and I escaped the wrath of it and we think it probably has everything to do with breastfeeding and antibodies.

I got my Christmas cards out yesterday.  I was in LOVE with the pictures that the photographer took of MoJo, even though they weren't cooperating at all that day.  It was torture, actually.  But I think she did an amazing job!

Here are a few of the images:

But they are just so dang cute....gah!  And I should point out I had JUST put my tree up and didn't even have it decorated, so it's rather sad looking.  Oh well.

Right now, I am especially loving feeding Joey every night before putting him down for bed.  He is just so sweet and soft and warm and cuddly and chubby.  And he holds my hand and sleeps so peacefully.  It is the best part of my day, no doubt.  The little turkey has been rolling over in his crib and sometimes wakes up at night, but all I usually have to do is flip him back over and he's happy.

Morgan has been in a HUGE MOMMY phase right now.  It's "Mommy!  Mommy? Mommy.  Mom.  Mommy!" ALL.THE.TIME.  Constant.  (Reminds me of that commercial for Family Guy where Stewie says Mommy a million times)  And before she would gladly tell me "Bye!" when I was leaving.  But now....oh it's meltdown city.  It's nice to feel wanted I guess ; )

And lastly, I'm back on a healthy eating and workout kick again.  I know, just in time for the holidays, right?! (peanut butter fudge anyone?)  My weight has been stuck at an undesirable number. But more importantly, I'm not liking how I feel or how my clothes fit.  Muffin tops were never my style, lol!  I've been doing Pilates and loving it, but now need to add some weightlifting and cardio.  But God, I hate to run.  I will do pretty much anything to avoid it, ha!

I get one cheat meal a WEEK (stingy, don'tchya think?) and you better believe it's gonna be this bad boy:

Baked French Toast
http://mormonmavens.blogspot.com/2011/11/baked-french-toast.html

Wordless Wednesday

Pinspired

I've been having fun ever since I found these Chalk Markers.  I thought they'd be fun for Morgan, but she's not quite ready for them just yet.

Times like this I am so grateful Pinterest exists!

Super Mom

We had a busy, but fun weekend.  Saturday we had some dear friends come for a visit and they brought their kids to play with our kids.  So fun!  They have a little boy, Johnny, who is older than Morgan and they have a little girl, Kristy, who is older than Joey.  It was nuts and fun to just hang out, eat, let the kids destroy the house.  I have to admit, I was so thankful for the company and a house full of adult noise (other than my children's whining and crying which is the usual soundtrack around here).

Sunday evening, the babysitter was free and offered herself up.  So OF COURSE we took advantage!  We went to see the new Bond movie.  Daniel Craig? Yes Please. 

We had some nachos and a beer while we were waiting for the show to start.  Halfway through the movie, Joe started feeling ill.  Now I can't say if he caught what Morgan had - or if it was the nachos - but he was SO SICK all night long, vomiting, fever, chills, and more vomiting.  The man NEVER calls in sick to work - NEVER.  But he did today.  We are going through a lot of Lysol.

Anyway, back up to Sunday afternoon:  We won tickets to a kid's Christmas play at a theater nearby.  I thought it would be SO FUN to take Morgan.  So I made her nap early in order for us to make the 2:00 showtime.  As usual, I'm pushing it to make it on time.  As I'm driving around downtown Cincinnati looking for parking (apparently with the rest of the city who was also attending this play, based on the droves of people I saw walking to the theater), I realized we were gonna have to park a little distance and walk.

So before I parked us 20 blocks away and sprinted to the theater...I decided to check our tickets one last time.  Yep, they were for SATURDAY'S SHOW.  Not Sunday.  BOOOO!  I was SO MAD at myself!  And that, my friends, is why I am Super Mom.

All ready to go to the Christmas play!

At least she still loves me

So we went to Target, Mama's Happy Place, and Morgan helped me get a little more Christmas shopping done.  I'm still glad she & I got to have that one-on-one time out of the house together.  A few packages of fruit snacks thrown her way, and I'm still Super Mom.